Kevin Kelly

I was surprised when Kevin Kelly mentions that the internet is only 5000 days old. This is an amazing interpretation of where we stand today on technology. We have advanced so much through wires on the net. You can buy a brand new computer today and it could be outdated and considered old in a matter of months or even weeks. Kelly mentions about believing in the impossible. This is a great quote to live by. If we never would have believed in the impossible, there would be no net. The invention of the computer back then was an amazing discovery for everyone; today what we have progressed to web 2.0 and soon web 3.0, the people back then would think it was a complete fantasy, something they could only see in a move. Kelly also mentions the McLuhan reversal and that "humans will be the extended senses of the machine." It appears that the development of the internet is inevitable.

Web 3.0

In class we have discussed the moderation's of both web 1.0 and 2.0. In the near future, we will have the futuristic web features of web 3.0. I believe that there will be many programs which would make everyday tasks more convenient to the public user. This includes new apps that could turn off houselights, electronics, and other devices all from your mobile phone. They introduced this feature on an iPhone application. Now we are also starting so see an advance in mobile technology. Sprint has already came out with a new network called 4G. This is a more clear, concise, and yet better internet connection then the recently "new" 3G network which is now outdated. I am expecting a lot from this new web 3.0 network, it should really be blowing away the public's mind on how they use the internet.

Gaming Addicition

1. I would like to create a collage of cartoon characters that are hypnotized and attracted to their video games.

2. I will be using cuts, smudges, transformations, text, shadows, paint brush and much more.

3. I envision my final project to make people who look at the poster see that video games are addicting even when and if others think they are not.

Computer Gaming: Positive Media or Addiction?

With the creation of video games decades ago, the popularity continues to grow, especially with regard to teenagers and young adults. Computer games can be a valuable form of media, as it can be used for entertainment, assist individuals to learn and improve academics ability (i.e.- educational math and language arts games), teach people how to play a sport, become better at strategic decisions (i.e.- chess), improve hand-eye coordination and improve reflexes. Despite what many people think, computer games can generally help to keep one’s mind alert and active. It has the potential to address the needs of people of all ages with various learning styles. By participating in video games, an individual has the opportunity to become a part of the process by stepping into the virtual world displayed on the LCD screen. While there are certainly positive attributes to this pastime, there is also much controversy surrounding computer games as having a negative impact since people spend an infinite amount of time caught up in playing video games, whether online on the computer or on a gaming console. Studies on video game addiction are insufficient at this time; however, the scientific community is starting to look at this issue more seriously since it can affect various aspects of people’s lives.

The craving to play video games may be similar to gambling where it takes over an individual’s normal daily routine. Although fairly new to the field of psychology, the playing of video games is not medically recognized as a suitable addiction because of a lack of knowledge in the subject matter (Hendricks). David Walsh, founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family in Minneapolis, claims that media experts point out that “computer and video games are not inherently bad for kids,” as long as they play responsibly and find a balance with other interests, commitments and activities in their lives (Wagner). There is a growing concern among mental-health professionals that video games may be linked to an addiction problem. Liz Wooley, founder of On-Line Games Anonymous, a virtual 12 step program for individuals having a dependence on computer games maintains that “We are seeing it over and over again…We’re losing kids into the games and it’s turning their brains to mush” (Wagner). When individuals become so engrossed in the game, they “zone out” from the real world.

Addiction is defined as needing more and more of a substance to keep going. If the individual does not get the substance, they become irritable and have withdrawal symptoms when the substance, in this case, video games, is taken away. They are preoccupied and cannot stop themselves, often having failed multiple attempts to discontinue playing the video games. An argument to support that excessive video games are mentally addictive is that the individual achieves psychological reinforcement from playing and doing extremely well at a game. As the player becomes exceptionally skilled at a game, dopamine, which is a neurochemical transmitter, is released from the brain, giving the player a “good” feeling (Situational Staff). Although not officially recognized as a gaming addiction, countries including China, South Korea, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States do acknowledge that video game addiction is an actual health threat and have opened clinics to deal with this problem (Situational Staff).

Most people think of specific substances such as drugs and alcohol when they think of an addiction problem. However, Kimberly Young, PsyD, clinical director of the Center for On-Line Addiction and author of Caught in the Net: How to Recognize the Signs of Internet Addiction and A Winning Strategy for Recovery claims that compulsive gaming meet the criteria because of the severe withdrawal symptoms that take place when the games are taken away. “They become angry, violent or depressed. If parents take away the computer, their child sits in the corner and cries, refuses to eat, sleep, or do anything” (Clark). According to a study, what is viewed as an enjoyable hobby may have harmful impact on school work and social interaction. The symptoms for video game dependence can vary from social isolation, reduced social skills, and persons could display erratic mood swings. Individual may be neglectful in taking care of themselves, such as health, regular sleeping and hygiene. Also, they may ignore other obligations including financial duties, work commitments and school or study responsibilities (Situational Staff).

Some of the most overplayed and obsessive-type of competitions is what is referred to as MMORPGS or “massively multiplayer online role-playing games.” Two games that are quite popular and fit into this category include World of Warcraft (WoW) and Call of Duty (CoD). Gamers from all over the world hook up to the internet and connect in cyberspace to form “guilds” or “clans,” while partaking in raids to oppose their rival squads (Wagner). In WoW, every player creates an avatar and plays the role of that character. That avatar is an online movable three-dimensional image used to represent a character in cyberspace. There are guild leaders and raid leaders, as well as offensive and defensive guild members from all over the world, participating in major quests. Players can easily get lost in these prolonged and lengthy missions that it can go on for days; it becomes increasingly difficult to leave (Wagner). For example, if I were playing with other members of my guild from all over the world including but not limited to places such as China, Canada, the United Kingdom and throughout the United States, and I needed to quit to work on a project, I would inform members of my squad that I needed to stop, in which case, members would collectively try to persuade and convince me not to leave. Everyone gets so caught up and fixated in this fantasy world that it becomes one of the most significant events in one’s life, much more important than studying and doing homework.

Speaking from my own personal experience, the competitive nature of the game draws players in and motivates them to try to be the best in the WoW. In MMORPGS, each player is openly accepted to form bonds and become part of the guild. It doesn’t matter how physically fit a player is, or if they are quiet or unpopular in real life. Players have the opportunity to team up with people from all over the world and make online friends while playing together for several days and sharing in adventures, finding people to protect you and working together to get things done. People have a chance to be an effective leader, learn money, learn the business aspect of buying, selling or trading items, and working on guild management skills. Similar to real life experiences, people voice their complaints, concerns and issues that require immediate attention from the group; therefore, those matters could be dealt with in order for things to run smoothly.

In conclusion, the rapid growth and rise in popularity of this expanding form of media have created a great concern involving computer games. While there are obvious benefits that come from playing a wide variety of action packed games, there are negative implications that pose the potential for individuals to become addicted to gaming activities. As a way for people to escape their monotonous real life, they can transform into a super action hero with a click of a button. Despite of the fact that computer games can build essential skills in academics, increase communication, help in problem solving ability, improve hand-eye coordination and alertness, to name a few, the threat of addiction cannot be ignored since it can cause an imbalance to people’s daily routine. With its advancing graphics, high quality of sound and interactive capabilities, the computer gaming industry will continue to appeal to people of all ages and lure them into a virtual world. Since this form of media is being ingrained into our culture and is here to stay, individuals must try to maintain a healthy balance of other interests and activities to get the most out of this technology.

Assignment Choice # 4: Gaming Addiction

1. Intro - Are Video Games Addicting?

Gaming addiction could be similar to gambling where it takes over people’s normal

daily routine. Video game addition still fairly new to field of psychology. Not

medically recognized as a suitable addiction because of lack of research (such as alcohol, gambling etc.). Studies on video game addiction are insufficient.

Growing problem. Scientific community starting to look at issue more seriously. Impacts school work and social interactions. Affect various aspects of people’s lives.

Definition of Addiction…

- Need more and more of substance to keep going

- If individual does not get substance, they get irritable

- Get withdrawal symptoms if substance (in this case, games) taken away

My position- Based on my own personal experience and knowledge of many gamers, video games are definitely addictive as kids spend more and more time and money on their habit.

2. Who gets addicted?

- Everyone is vulnerable

- Factors: examples include - rough life, low tolerances for stress, social or economic stress (may be more susceptible) Boys and teenage males more susceptible

3. What are the addiction signs? Symptoms of pathological game user- become a compulsion (impulse control disorder like compulsive gambling). Pro arguments that it is an addiction:

- Increase in amount of time playing on games, drawn to the games

- Become preoccupied about a game when they are involved in other activities

- Cannot stop themselves from recurrent use, cannot avoid game

- Plan when they will be playing their games

- Increase time spent at activity (gaming)

- Seek to escape reality such as real problems in their life (i.e. – anxiety and depression)

- Look to hide or conceal their gaming addiction by lying about it to friends

- May become isolated from friends, rather play computer than socialize

- May give up on hobbies and time playing sports, appear to be bored with other activities

- Avoid homework, bad grades in school

4. Physical signs of addiction

- Sleep disturbances

- Headaches

- Don’t want to eat or bathe (poor hygiene)

- Back of their neck hurts

- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

- Mood Swings, abruptly get angry or irritable

- Falling asleep during the day, very tired

5. Psychological signs of addiction. Change in brain chemistry? (i.e. - increase in dopamine, which is a type of chemical in the brain- may predetermine who is relatively likely or not likely to develop addictions. Note- personality plays a role on who activity will be problem)

- Puts gamer in virtual world; take on role of fictional character while playing game

- Feel good about self (i.e. – may be unpopular in school, but forceful in popular game

- Virtual world may be more attractive than real world

6. Video Game not an addition. Against argument that it is not an addiction:

- American Medical Association (AMA) calls it an overuse problem, not a diagnosis

- Not like an overdose of medicine

- American Psychiatric Association- not in its diagnostic manual

- Just an overuse/excessive use problem, using Internet games too much

- Not like an addictive substance (i.e. – alcohol, nicotine or cocaine

- Parents need to closely monitor amount of time kids spend on Internet

- No physiological affect

7. Conclusion- May need to detox from computer

- Similar to detoxing from other addictions

- Difficulty is that PC’s have become important part of everyday life (i.e.- school and job use, computers not going away)

- Learn to use computer in moderation

- Whether it is addictive or a bad habit, this issue needs to be addressed